Method, apparatus, and computer program product for providing internet protocol multicast transport

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for providing IP multicast transport may include a processor and a memory. The memory may store executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to at least perform operations including receiving a key for encapsulation of multicast data at a base station, using the key to generate a response to a message indicative of a multicast connection for a particular service received from a gateway device, the base station being joined to a same multicast tree in a multicast-broadcast zone as the gateway device, and establishing the multicast connection with the gateway device via a multicast data path comprising a multicast tunnel associated with the key. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to networkcommunication technology and, more particularly, relate to a method,apparatus and computer program product for providing Internet Protocol(IP) multicast transport for use in an access service network (ASN) suchas, for example, a WiMAX ASN.

BACKGROUND

The modern communications era has brought about a tremendous expansionof wireline and wireless networks. Computer networks, televisionnetworks, and telephony networks are experiencing an unprecedentedtechnological expansion, fueled by consumer demand. Wireless and mobilenetworking technologies have addressed related consumer demands, whileproviding more flexibility and immediacy of information transfer.

Current and future networking technologies continue to facilitate easeof information transfer and convenience to users. One such deliverytechnique that has shown promise is Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB). Inthis regard, DVB-T, which is related to DVB-C (cable) and DVB-S(satellite), is the terrestrial variant of the DVB standard. As is wellknown, DVB-T is a wireless point-to-multipoint data delivery mechanismdeveloped for digital TV broadcasting, and is based on the MPEG-2transport stream for the transmission of video and synchronized audio.DVB-T has the capability of efficiently transmitting large amounts ofdata over a broadcast channel to a high number of users at a lower cost,when compared to data transmission through mobile telecommunicationnetworks using, e.g., 3G systems. Advantageously, DVB-T has also provento be exceptionally robust in that it provides increased performance ingeographic conditions that would normally affect other types oftransmissions, such as the rapid changes of reception conditions, andhilly and mountainous terrain. On the other hand, DVB-H (handheld),which is also related to DVB-T, can provide increased performanceparticularly for wireless data delivery to handheld devices.

As evidenced by DVB, digital broadband data broadcast networks areknown. In this regard DVB networks enjoy popularity in Europe andelsewhere for the delivery of television content as well as the deliveryof other data, such as Internet Protocol (IP) data. Other examples ofbroadband data broadcast networks include Japanese TerrestrialIntegrated Service Digital Broadcasting (ISDB-T), Digital AudioBroadcasting (DAB), and Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (3GPPMBMS, 3GPP2 BCMCS), and those networks provided by the AdvancedTelevision Systems Committee (ATSC).

In many such systems, program guides have been developed to deliverservices to users over the digital broadband data broadcast networks.Multicast and Broadcast Service (MCBCS) allows users to receive avariety of content (e.g. video/text) via mobile terminals in a wirelessnetwork. Other similar services are being developed for Third GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) and Open Mobile Alliance (OMA), for example.Users may subscribe to MCBCS service, in which a controller responds touser requests for content information over an IP network. A user selectsdesired content via the MCBCS program guide at their mobile terminals.The controller may then authenticate the user's request and provide theselected content if appropriately authenticated.

Meanwhile, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), isan exemplary telecommunications technology that has been developed forproviding communication of wireless data over long distances in avariety of ways, such as point-to-point links or full mobile cellulartype access. WiMAX is based on the IEEE (Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers) 802.16 standard. WiMAX is generally touted asenabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as analternative to cable and DSL (digital subscriber line). WiMAX may be analternative means of increasing bandwidth for a variety ofdata-intensive applications such as digital video broadcasting (DVB). Assuch, for example, efforts have been made to provide broadcast supportfor WiMAX technology.

In WiMAX architecture, a wireless ASN may be coupled to base stationsthat wirelessly communicate data to mobile terminals via an ASN gateway(ASN-GW). FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional ASN architecture using IPunicast transport for the logical interconnection between the ASN-GW andbase stations. Thus, the “last hop” to the base stations is handled viaunicast. The communication interface between a ASN-GW and a base station(BS) is typically referred to as the R6 interface (e.g., a referencepoint between BS and ASN). As shown in FIG. 1, the R6 interface isconventionally provided as a unicast IP transport mechanism. As such,the R6 interface as well as the R4 interface (which defines a referencepoint between ASN and other ASNs for mobility across ASNs) may becrossed by a user plane that is transported inside a tunnel. The tunnelis typically a generic routing encapsulation (GRE) tunnel.

For MCBCS, the architecture of FIG. 1 may be considered inefficientsince the last hop transport link to the BS may carry identical andsynchronized data flow to various base station sectors (e.g., BS1, BS2,BS3, etc.) in a MCBCS zone. Thus, if there are several sectors per site,or if the transport to the base stations is daisy-chained as shown inFIG. 1, the flows via unicast may mean that identical packets are sentover the last hop transport in several independent and synchronizedcopies resulting in inefficient usage of resources.

Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide an improved mechanism forproviding last hop transport links in an ASN.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method, apparatus and computer program product are therefore providedfor enabling the provision of IP multicast flows in an ASN such as amobile WiMAX ASN. Thus, it may be possible to improve efficiency inrelation to network resources for such use cases as MCBCS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an access service network;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a WiMAX system architectureaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an ASN architecture for utilizingan IP-multicast data path according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an apparatus for enabling the utilizationof an IP-multicast data path according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a communication flow diagram showing signaling for enablingthe utilization of an IP-multicast data path according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a communication flow diagram showing signaling for enablingthe utilization of an IP-multicast data path according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart according to an exemplary method of providing anIP-multicast data path according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart according to another exemplary method of providingan IP-multicast data path according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart according to yet another exemplary method ofproviding an IP-multicast data path according to one embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart according to still another exemplary method ofproviding an IP-multicast data path according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, embodimentsof the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should notbe construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfyapplicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to likeelements throughout.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a WiMAX system architectureaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In thisregard, as shown in FIG. 2, a WiMAX system, which is exemplary of onecommunication system in connection with which embodiments of the presentinvention may be employed, may include a mobile terminal 10, a networkaccess provider (NAP) 100 that owns and operates the network, one ormore network service providers (e.g., home NSP 200 and visited NSP 220)that may coordinate subscriptions and provide service to subscribers,and an application service provider (ASP) 250 that may provideapplication services. The NAP may include one or more ASNs that may bein communication with each other via an interface defined by a referencepoint R4 between the various ASNs including, for example, ASN 110 andother ASNs.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the home NSP 200 and visited NSP 220 mayinclude a respective connectivity service network (CSN) (e.g., visitedCSN 202 and home CSN 222, respectively) that may be in communicationwith the ASP 300 network or the Internet. The visited CSN 202 and thehome CSN 222 may be in communication with each other via an interfacedefined by the R5 reference point used for internetworking between homeand visited networks. The visited CSN 202 may be in communication withthe ASN 110 via an interface defined by the R3 reference point, whichmay support authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA), policyenforcement, and mobility management capabilities as well as tunnelimplementation between the ASN 110 and the visited CSN 202. The visitedCSN 202 and the home CSN 222 may also be in communication with themobile terminal 10 via an interface defined by the R2 reference pointcomprising a logical interface for authentication, authorization, IPhost configuration and mobility management.

The ASN 110 may include one or more ASN gateways (e.g., ASN-GW 120) andone or more base stations (e.g., BS 130 and BS 140). The base stations(e.g., BS 130 and BS 140) may be in communication with the mobileterminal 10 via an interface defined by the R1 reference point, whichmay implement communications, for example, in accordance with IEEE802.16e. The ASN-GW 120 may be in communication with the BS 130 and theBS 140 via an interface defined by the reference point R6. The referencepoint R6 may implement intra-ASN tunnels and may be used for controlplane signaling. However, unlike the conventional case of FIG. 1, thereference point R6 of an exemplary embodiment may be configured tosupport IP multicast (IP-M) rather than just IP unicast transport.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an ASN architecture for utilizingan IP-multicast

(IP-M) data path according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. In this regard, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 1, the ASN-GW120 may be in communication with the BS 130 via an IP-M capable R6interface. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may providea data path that may allow IP-M to transport one flow across the lasthop transport, which may be split to different sectors or base stationsbased on the physical topology of transport. In an exemplary embodiment,the BS 130 may include a router 132 for receiving the IP-M signalingfrom the ASN-GW 120 and distributing the IP-M data flow to the varioussectors (BS1, BS2 and BS3) of the BS 130. If base stations are chained,as shown in FIG. 3, such that the ASN-GW is in communication with the BS140 via the BS 130 (e.g., via an R8 interface), then the router 132 mayalso be in communication with router 142, which may distribute IP-Msignals received to various sectors (BS4, BS5 and BS6) associated withthe BS 140. Accordingly the routers 132 and 142 may each be any means ordevice embodied in hardware, software or a combination of hardware andsoftware that is configured to distribute a single multicast flowreceived at a base station to other base stations or sectors.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described withreference to FIG. 4, in which certain elements of an apparatus forenabling the utilization of an IP-multicast data path according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention are displayed. In thisregard, the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 may be embodied, for example, ateither the ASN-GW 120 or a base station (e.g., as the router or anotherportion thereof). It should be noted that while FIG. 4 illustrates oneexample of a configuration of an apparatus for enabling the utilizationof an IP-multicast data path, numerous other configurations may also beused to implement embodiments of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an apparatus for enabling the utilization of anIP-multicast data path is provided. The apparatus may include orotherwise be in communication with a processor 70 (e.g., controller 20),a user interface 72, a communication interface 74 and a memory device76. The memory device 76 may include, for example, volatile and/ornon-volatile memory. The memory device 76 may be configured to storeinformation, data, applications, instructions or the like for enablingthe apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention. For example, the memorydevice 76 could be configured to buffer input data for processing by theprocessor 70. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device 76 couldbe configured to store instructions for execution by the processor 70.As yet another alternative, the memory device 76 may be one of aplurality of databases that store information and/or media content.

The processor 70 may be embodied in a number of different ways. Forexample, the processor 70 may be embodied as various processing meanssuch as a processing element, a coprocessor, a controller or variousother processing devices including integrated circuits such as, forexample, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or an FPGA(field programmable gate array). In an exemplary embodiment, theprocessor 70 may be configured to execute instructions stored in thememory device 76 or otherwise accessible to the processor 70. Meanwhile,the communication interface 74 may be embodied as any device or meansembodied in either hardware, software, or a combination of hardware andsoftware that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to anetwork and/or any other device or module in communication with theapparatus. In this regard, the communication interface 74 may include,for example, an antenna and supporting hardware and/or software forenabling communications with a wireless communication network.

The user interface 72 may be in communication with the processor 70 toreceive an indication of a user input at the user interface 72 and/or toprovide an audible, visual, mechanical or other output to the user. Assuch, the user interface 72 may include, for example, a keyboard, amouse, a joystick, a touch screen display, a conventional display, amicrophone, a speaker, or other input/output mechanisms. In an exemplaryembodiment in which the apparatus is embodied as a server or some othernetwork devices such as the ASN-GW 120 or the base stations (BS 130 andBS 140), the user interface 72 may be limited, or eliminated.

In an exemplary embodiment, the processor 70 may be embodied as orotherwise control a data path function 78. The data path function 78 maybe any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in hardware,software or a combination of hardware and software that is configured toperform the corresponding functions of the data path function 78 asdescribed herein. In this regard, the data path function 78 may beconfigured to enable the apparatus to join an IP-M tree. In particular,the data path function 78 of one of an ASN-GW and a base station mayenable the corresponding ASN-GW or base station to join the same IP-Mtree as the other of the ASN-GW and the base station in order to enableIP-M transport over the last hop from the ASN-GW to the base stations.

When embodied at an ASN-GW (e.g., ASN-GW 120), the data path function 78may be configured to enable the ASN-GW to join the same IP-M tree as abase station (e.g., BS 130 or BS 140). The joining of the IP-M tree maybe triggered either manually (e.g., by the user of the mobile terminal10) or by an operations and management entity in the network. In someexemplary embodiments in which IP version four (IPv4) is utilized,Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)-join may be utilized fortriggering the joining. Meanwhile, in other exemplary embodiments inwhich IP version six (IPv6) is utilized, Multicast Listener Discovery(MLD)-join may be used as the trigger. After joining the IP-M tree, thedata path function 78 may enable the ASN-GW to select a GRE key forencapsulation with respect to tunneling between the ASN-GW and basestation. In an exemplary embodiment, the GRE key may be selected from anMCBCS pool in order to set up an MCBCS flow. Notably, in unicast datapath setup signaling, the ASN-GW may select the key for use in theuplink. However, in MCBCS, the uplink may not be needed and thus, uplinkflow setup may be optional.

After key selection, the ASN-GW may engage in signaling for continuingdata path setup in which the data path may enable tunneling with IP-Mtransport. In some embodiments, the signaling may also be performed bythe data path function 78 of the ASN-GW, but such signaling couldalternatively be provided from another portion of the ASN-GW. FIGS. 5and 6 illustrate further examples of such signaling.

In an exemplary embodiment in which the data path function 78 isembodied at a base station (e.g., BS 130 and/or BS 140), the data pathfunction 78 may be configured to enable the base station to join thesame IP-M tree as the ASN-GW. As indicated above, the joining of theIP-M tree may be triggered either manually or by an operations andmanagement entity in the network using, for example, IGMP-join orMLD-join. After joining the IP-M tree, the data path function 78 mayenable the base station to receive messaging from the ASN-GW includingan identification of the GRE key for establishment of a downlink datapath. In an exemplary embodiment, if the GRE key is selected from anMCBCS pool in order to set up an MCBCS flow, the data path function 78may receive an indication of the MCBCS purpose of the flow and alsoreceive an IP-M address. The IP-M address may enable the base station tojoin the IP-M tree if the base station has not yet joined the IP-M treeyet. Further signaling associated with IP-M data path setup forexemplary embodiments is illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5 is a communication flow diagram showing signaling for enablingthe utilization of an IP-multicast data path according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 5,base stations and their serving ASN-GW belonging to an MCBCS zone mayjoin the same IP-M tree at the transport level at operation 300. TheASN-GW may then select a GRE key for the use in setting up MCBCS flow atoperation 310. The ASN-GW may then send a signal (e.g., a Path_Req_Reqsignal) to all base stations in the MCBCS zone including the indicationof the purpose of the message at operation 320 (e.g., data path setupfor MCBCS services). The GRE key selected for the MCBCS data path and,in some cases, also the IP-M address to enable the base stations to jointhe IP-M tree if they have not already, may also be sent. At operation330, base stations that have received the message of operation 320 mayuse the GRE key for establishment of a downlink MCBCS data path. If thebase station was not yet a part of the IP-M tree, the base station canjoin the IP-M tree using the IP-M address received in operation 320. Atoperation 340, the base stations (e.g., BS1, BS2, BS3) may reply to theASN-GW with a reply including the same GRE key as received in operation320. The ASN-GW may acknowledge at operation 350 (e.g., with aPath_Reg_Ack message) to set up a R6/R4 data path for MCBCS on top ofIP-M at operation 360. The flow may be unidirectional (from ASN-GW toBSs) or optionally may be bi-directional. Moreover, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the flow may be setup using at least some of the signaling usedin unicast setup to reduce the need for changes to current setupsignaling.

The procedure above in FIG. 5 assumes that IP-M is used for R6/R4transport. In this case, GRE keys can be reused between tunnels on topof IP-M and IP unicast in the ASN. If IP-unicast must be used for MCBCStransport between ASN-GW and BS, e.g., IP-M is not supported by thetransport, part of the, e.g., GRE key address space (i.e., 4 octets) maybe reserved for MCBCS data paths to allow the ASN-GW to select the keyin the downlink as used in the above procedure. The reservation of theGRE key space can be done by pre-configuration of WiMAX networkelements.

In some embodiments, there may be no need for the three-way signalingshown in FIG. 5, which may result in both uplink and downlink IP-Mtransport. In this regard, FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment that maytake advantage of the fact that ASN-GW selects GRE key for the downlinkand there may be no need for three-way signaling. Instead, as shown inFIG. 6, two-way signaling may be sufficient in situations in which theGRE key is signaled to the base stations from the ASN-GW and aconfirmation is sent back as shown below.

FIG. 6 is a communication flow diagram showing signaling for enablingthe utilization of an IP-multicast data path according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In this regard, the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 may includeoperations 400, 410, 420 and 430, which may be substantially similar tooperations 300, 310, 320 and 330, respectively, of the embodiment ofFIG. 5. However, since IP-M may not be used for the uplink, the uplinkmay be unicast and operation 440 may merely involve an acknowledgementby the base stations of the data path (e.g., using a Path_Res_Respmessage). After operation 440, R6/R4 flow for MCBCS on top of IP-M maybe set up in which the flow may be unidirectional or bi-directional atoperation 450 as described above.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide setting upof a MCBCS R6/R4 data path using IP multicast transport. Moreover,embodiments may provide for reusing existing unicast setup signallingwith relatively minimal changes and a simplified setup signalingprocedure for MCBCS service provision. In an exemplary embodiment, theremay be no need for setting up matching uplink and downlink pairs of datapaths (since the uplink may not be used for MCBCS). In some embodimentsin which IP unicast is used for transport, reservation of GRE keyaddressing space may be provided for MCBCS to allow the ASN-GW to selectthe GRE key used by the base station in the uplink.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts according to an exemplary method ofproviding an IP-multicast data path according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. As such, FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts of a system,method and program product according to exemplary embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block or step of theflowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can beimplemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, and/orsoftware including one or more computer program instructions. Forexample, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodiedby computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer programinstructions which embody the procedures described above may be storedby a memory device and executed by a processor. As will be appreciated,any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer orother programmable apparatus (i.e., hardware) to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions which execute on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus create means for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowcharts block(s) or step(s). These computer programinstructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that candirect a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in aparticular manner, such that the instructions stored in thecomputer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture includinginstruction means which implement the function specified in theflowcharts block(s) or step(s). The computer program instructions mayalso be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process suchthat the instructions which execute on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowcharts block(s) or step(s).

Accordingly, blocks or steps of the flowcharts support combinations ofmeans for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps forperforming the specified functions and program instruction means forperforming the specified functions. It will also be understood that oneor more blocks or steps of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks orsteps in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions orsteps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

In this regard, one embodiment of a method of providing an IP-multicastdata path, which may be referenced to the point of view of an ASN-GW, asshown in FIG. 7, may include joining a same multicast tree as basestations in a broadcast-multicast zone at operation 500. The multicasttree may be an IP multicast tree. Accordingly, for example, both anASN-GW and the base stations in a broadcast-multicast zone may join thesame IP-multicast tree. At operation 510 a key for encapsulation ofmulticast data may be selected. The key may be a GRE key. The method mayfurther include communicating a message indicative of a multicastconnection for a particular service to the base station at operation 520and establishing the multicast connection with the base station via amulticast data path comprising a tunnel associated with the key atoperation 530.

In an exemplary embodiment, communicating the message indicative of themulticast connection for a particular service may include communicatinga message indicative the multicast connection for a multicast andbroadcast service (MCBCS). In such a case, selecting the key may includeselecting a generic routing encapsulation key from a MCBCS pool. In someembodiments, communicating the message may further include communicatingthe message including the key or communicating the message including anInternet Protocol multicast address. In some embodiments, IP-multicastmay only be used for downlink communications, while unicast may be usedfor uplink communications.

Rather than joining the multicast tree prior to key selection, analternative exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 8 may provide for keyselection as an initial operation of operation 600. A message indicativeof a multicast connection for a particular service may then becommunicated to the base station at operation 610 and the ASN-GW and thebase stations in a broadcast-multicast zone may join the sameIP-multicast tree at operation 620. In some cases, the message mayprovide a multicast address for enabling the joining of the multicasttree. The multicast connection with the base stations via a multicastdata path comprising a tunnel associated with the key may then beestablished at operation 630.

Alternatively, an exemplary embodiment of a method of providing anIP-multicast data path from the perspective of base stations in aparticular broadcast-multicast zone, as shown in FIG. 9, may includejoining a same multicast tree as an ASN-GW at operation 700. Themulticast tree may be an IP multicast tree. Accordingly, for example,both an ASN-GW and the base stations in a broadcast-multicast zone mayjoin the same IP-multicast tree. At operation 710 a key forencapsulation of multicast data may be received. The key may be a GREkey. The method may further include using the key to generate a responseto a message indicative of a multicast connection for a particularservice at operation 720 and establishing the multicast connection withthe ASN-GW via a multicast data path comprising a tunnel associated withthe key at operation 730.

Rather than joining the multicast tree prior to key selection, analternative exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 10 may provide forreceipt of a selected key at operation 800. A response to a messageindicative of a multicast connection for a particular service may thenbe generated at operation 810 and the ASN-GW and the base stations in abroadcast-multicast zone may join the same IP-multicast tree atoperation 820. In some cases, the message may provide a multicastaddress for enabling the joining of the multicast tree. The multicastconnection with the base stations via a multicast data path comprising atunnel associated with the key may then be established at operation 830.

In an exemplary embodiment, the message indicative of the multicastconnection for a particular service may be a message indicative themulticast connection for a multicast and broadcast service (MCBCS). Asindicated above, the key may be selected as a generic routingencapsulation key from a MCBCS pool. In some embodiments, the key and anInternet Protocol multicast address may be received along with themessage. In some embodiments, IP-multicast may only be used for downlinkcommunications, while unicast may be used for uplink communications.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certainexemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions maybe provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scopeof the appended claims. In this regard, for example, differentcombinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitlydescribed above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of theappended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

1.-25. (canceled)
 26. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: select a key for encapsulation of multicast data at a gateway device; communicate a message indicative of a multicast connection for a particular service from the gateway device to base stations in a multicast-broadcast zone, the base stations being joined to a same multicast tree in the multicast-broadcast zone as the gateway device; and establish the multicast connection with the base stations via a multicast data path comprising a multicast tunnel associated with the key.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the message comprises a path registration request.
 28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the processor is configured to select the key by selecting a generic routing encapsulation key from a multicast and broadcast service pool.
 29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the processor is configured to communicate the message by communicating the message including the key or an internet protocol multicast address.
 30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the processor is further configured to utilize internet protocol multicast for downlink communication.
 31. A method comprising: selecting a key for encapsulation of multicast data at a gateway device; communicating a message indicative of a multicast connection for a particular service from the gateway device to base stations in a multicast-broadcast zone, the base stations being joined to a same multicast tree in the multicast-broadcast zone as the gateway device; and establishing the multicast connection with the base stations via a multicast data path comprising a multicast tunnel associated with the key.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein selecting the key comprises selecting a generic routing encapsulation key from a multicast and broadcast service pool.
 33. The method of claim 31, wherein communicating the message further comprises communicating the message including the key or an internet protocol multicast address.
 34. The method of claim 31, further comprising utilizing internet protocol multicast for downlink communication.
 35. A computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising: program code instructions for selecting a key for encapsulation of multicast data at a gateway device; program code instructions for communicating a message indicative of a multicast connection for a particular service from the gateway device to base stations in a multicast-broadcast zone, the base stations being joined to a same multicast tree in the multicast-broadcast zone as the gateway device; and program code instructions for establishing the multicast connection with the base stations via a multicast data path comprising a multicast tunnel associated with the key.
 36. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receive a key for encapsulation of multicast data at a base station; use the key to generate a response to a message indicative of a multicast connection for a particular service received from a gateway device, the base station being joined to a same multicast tree in a multicast-broadcast zone as the gateway device; and establish the multicast connection with the gateway device via a multicast data path comprising a multicast tunnel associated with the key.
 37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the base station joins the same multicast tree as the gateway device prior to receipt of the key.
 38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the base station joins the same multicast tree as the gateway device subsequent to receipt of the key.
 39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the message comprises a message indicative of the multicast connection for a multicast or broadcast service.
 40. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the key comprises a generic routing encapsulation key from a multicast and broadcast service pool.
 41. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the response comprises a path registration response.
 42. A method comprising: receiving a key for encapsulation of multicast data at a base station; using the key to generate a response to a message indicative of a multicast connection for a particular service received from a gateway device, the base station being joined to a same multicast tree in a multicast-broadcast zone as the gateway device; and establishing the multicast connection with the gateway device via a multicast data path comprising a multicast tunnel associated with the key.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein receiving the key comprises receiving the message including the key and indicative of the multicast connection for a multicast or broadcast service.
 44. The method of claim 42, wherein receiving the key comprises receiving the message including the key or an internet protocol multicast address.
 45. A computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising: program code instructions for receiving a key for encapsulation of multicast data at a base station; program code instructions for using the key to generate a response to a message indicative of a multicast connection for a particular service received from a gateway device, the base station being joined to a same multicast tree in a multicast-broadcast zone as the gateway device; and program code instructions for establishing the multicast connection with the gateway device via a multicast data path comprising a multicast tunnel associated with the key. 